February 12-20, 2026
Nagasaki University Library
Beyond the Body: A portrait of autopsy
Recognised as ‘learning from the dead’,autopsy has been of significant importance to medicine and science, butoften a painful concern of the living.
Autopsy, from the Greek “autopsia”literally means “seeing for one’s self”. The term refers to the examination of thedead body to determine the cause of death.
Scientific and ethical standards on theautopsy procedure have changed over time. What was previously consideredto be ethically acceptable is viewed differently in present day. Forexample, the use of unclaimed bodies associated with extremevulnerability or poverty in the past, has since become an unacceptable practice.
‘Beyond the body: a portrait of autopsy’ isan art exhibition inspired by narratives of people involved inpost-mortem procedures depicting ethical dilemmas presented by the practice ofexamining the body across different cultures.
The artwork interprets the difficultquestions posed and brings a new perspective on autopsy through imaginativeand creative visions. Here we explore a range of viewpoints; Apathologist asking if the rights of the living to know the cause of death supersedethe rights of the deceased to keep their secrets; A Buddhist priestdiscussing five elements determining stages of death, but also the universe; Ascientist introducing less invasive autopsy in children to minimise bodydisfigurement, describing difficult conversations with grieving parents,amongst others…
The exhibition is a collaborative projectbetween social scientist Dr Halina Suwałowska (Ethox Centre, University ofOxford) and artist Anna Suwałowska (Beyond Physical Form)